Us 20120040798

US 20120040798A1
(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0040798 A1
(43) Pub. Date:
Yu
(54)
TREADMILL WITH MAN-MACHINE

INTERACTION SPEED REGULATION AND
CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
(75) Inventor:
Jun-Tao Yu, Beijing City (CN)
(73) Assignees:
BEIJING MEYA VIRTUAL

REALITY HIGH-TECH CO.,
Publication Classi?cation
(51)
Int. Cl.
A63B 24/00
(52)
Us. or. .......................................................... .. 482/4
(57)
(2006.01)
ABSTRACT
A treadmill With man-machine interaction speed regulation

and a control method thereof are presented. The treadmill
includes an arm sWinging detection unit for detecting an arm
sWinging amplitude or frequency. When a user runs on the
LTD., Beijing City (CN); ILODO

(BEIJING) SPORTS
TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.,
treadmill, the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency of the

user can be detected by the arm sWinging detection unit. In the
situation that a Variation of the arm sWinging amplitude or
frequency is greater than a preset threshold Value, a neW
Beijing City (CN)

(21) Appl. No.:
13/264,749
(22) PCT Filed:
Apr. 15, 2009
(86)
PCT/CN2009/000400
PCT No.:
Feb. 16, 2012
transmission speed of a treadmill belt is Worked out according

to a neW arm sWinging amplitude or frequency, and the speed
of the treadmill is regulated to the neW speed automatically.

Otherwise, the treadmill belt keeps the former transmission
speed. The treadmill speed is automatically regulated accord

ing to dynamically monitored arm sWinging information,
371 (0X1),
(2), (4) Date:
Which alloWs the user to change the transmission speed of the

treadmill belt in a natural Way.
Oct. 15, 2011
.............................................. ..\
Ev'lntur
Arm swinging
detecting unit
IRifiIfQ-CE
pppppppppppppppp p
___________________________ __
l-leart rate
detecting unit.
circui t
111111111111111 JIIIIIUIIIIIIIIIJ

Blood pressure
detecting unit
\. ............... .1!................................................................. -.
Computation
[1 fl ll
Patent Application Publication
Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 1 0f 5
Mm )1
Cumin]
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Control
,. :
Arm swinging
cwcmt
US 2012/0040798 A1
dlit?t??g unit
1I
Pam]
Haam ran:
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV W
{Marthe-s
circuil
'ireadmili
"
detecting unit
'
B1006 prcssum
de tiectin um i l
iiiiiiiiiiiiiii
5 Lnmputzmon
i
unit i
Comm]
Motor
iiiiiiii ,
Cam?
pine?
c
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
'i-iearl rate
~
V.
'7
GHQ-111i
detecting um
I!
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv "w
wwwwww t wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww w
'
~
lmm'tmlc
B5086 pr?ssum
dame-{mg an is,
.
circuit
Twadmii].
(lmlgmtai'itm, 3
unit
Arm swinging
detecting unit
Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 2 0f 5
US 2012/0040798 A1
?mct'inn
A rm
anahfzing
running
swingii'zg
parametm
speed
unitand
a
1E
{irn'itml
M0101
=1
._
i,
w]
""""""
1'
-
.g
detccrtmg'umt
"""""""""""""""" "
licazfi mic
gm? mi?
t1
mrcult
-1
Ann swirwin Y
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
iillumtrol
"Am
w .;
detecting mm
-.
circuit
} 'readm ii I
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, W
"
Bland pressure
1,
aictcciting unit
Computaiiiini
unii
HQ. 3
M0101
P a,
Control
i
mum;
i
wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww w
Q .~ -
deteoungmm
Mm
swin
iii!r!1
V
.
i
+77
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV V3
______________ n
inmri'ace
circuit
Treadmill
l kart
.,
lat
4
{jamming unit
a
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i.
Blmd W855i?
dense-ting unit
-
1!
Cmnpuiatkm
unit
El ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~
F IG. 4
Arm
""""" '1swinging
"" 'fi "" 'f'i "" 'f """"""
and ;
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\*9
running speed
1
'fun?iml pamme?rr 1
anaiyzing unit
Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 3 0f 5
US 2012/0040798 A1
Ami SW11, 21g and "
running spaed
fimciion par-(Inuit
amaiyzing unit
ll.
._
M20101"
iiiiiiiiiiii
Lontmi
~
......... ..,
circuit
.v
.
.............................................................
Comm!
__
panel
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii i
E-ieart iate
detecting
_ _,
_.
unu
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ii
Bimd prcusurm
a f, m
11?? KM
>
dew-cum: umt
circuit.
Trcadnii ii
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Compumtiun kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
uni;
\
'
Arm swinging
del?ciing uni!
FIG. 5
_ _ _
Minor
{10mm}
-'
,-
CH'CLMI
Heart rate
_
dcieuimg umi
k
Rm r }_i
i .
1 mt
i
'
Blnud piGSSuit':
interface
dattectmg um!
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv n
"iicadmiii
""""""
""""
Arm six-"imaging
dimming unit
; Cumpumion
i
1
34
Armin
running
swinging-(121d
spared
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
unit
1
?mctian
analyzing
paranwtcr
unit
'
Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 4 0f 5
The usrsr wears this imairi' rah:

detecting unit: and ihs: bland
US 2012/0040798 A1
laws-sure dam-ting; unit, nptimmlly
The hw? r312: d?iecting unit

and that bimmi 'prexsm's:
tieicctring unii dctcci [hi2 imam

mt * and the blood pressure {if
the usar when. running
4
the\
_
IfK/Awwther
imam rah: and {he
biQQ-d
N9
pressum
are within a x,1
7 1101711121} range I
Tim trammissimi gipesii uftliu:
The wansl'nissimi 33112126
1 trea?mili. hrrit is increas?d m
ofti'm imam-xiii} be]: is
mad-{mad awarding tn the: arm
reduced awarding t0 the
swinging amplii'ude 01'
mm swinging amplitude
iv?qucnuy uf'ihe
QT ??que'ncy n? 1hr: uss'er
F IG, 7
Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 5 0f 5
The use? and the
US 2012/0040798 A1
trsadmiii muw at {has ;

same speed
1?
Dctecz time arm ss-vinging
gfrequency or ampiitude of
the user
ie'ihssr the: arm swinging
?'cquencym'amp'limda
changes
1 Yes
>
Tiheum'changas {I12
Mieihci a varianun
>
m, the arm swmgmg ire-gummy
rmmmsr, m'nphtude Inger
msad m a new vciochy Bf

?it? treasimiii
\MWQY ampiituda
> 1esh01d
is gmatirr
vaiuga
yes
Wm; out a chaired treadmiii
speed accurding w a mew arm
(hangs: the treadmiil
speed. by a 60mm] circuit
swinging iicqucncy m" amplitude 3
Yes
(Ialcuiale desirscl turning

diwciion and fuming radius
Transisr m \ 11111211
running so?iware
H6. 8
Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
TREADMILL WITH MAN-MACHINE

INTERACTION SPEED REGULATION AND
CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
loading differences is disclosed. The load inducing detection

circuit transmits the current load signal produced by treading
the band to the microprocessor unit; and the microprocessor
unit calculates the time difference betWeen signals, compares
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
the time difference With the smooth difference and sends one
[0001] The present invention relates to a treadmill and a

speed or direction control method for the treadmill, and more
signal to the motor driver for regulating the speed of the band.
The present invention makes it possible for the exerciser to
regulate his speed based on his physical ability, so as to reach
particularly to an electric treadmill capable of dynamically

regulating a transmission speed of a treadmill belt based on
optimal body building effect and avoid tumble.

[0006] The treadmill adopting the above speed regulation
monitored indices including arm sWinging information (fre
method has a certain progress as compared With the treadmill
quency and amplitude), heart rate and blood pressure of a

user, and a control method for accomplishing speed control
and virtual scene direction control, Which belongs to a tech
that realiZes the speed regulation by pressing the button on the

control panel, Which is still tricky in comparison With the
outdoor running during Which people can regulate the run
ning speed at Will, and this treadmill may still cause the
nical ?eld of physical ?tness equipment.
distraction of attention of the user in running and interrupt the

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002]
A treadmill is a popular physical ?tness equipment
and may be divided into a mechanical treadmill and an elec
tric treadmill based on the Working principle.

[0003] The mechanical treadmill is an early age product.
When doing ?tness exercises on the mechanical treadmill, a
user drives the treadmill belt to move by treading. The
mechanical treadmill has the advantage of controlling the

running speed at Will, but the kicking action for driving the
treadmill belt in running may cause the strain of the leg joints,
Which is harmful to the human health. Therefore, the
mechanical treadmill is substantially faded out of the market
noWadays.
[0004]
Currently, the electric treadmill is the most popular.
The electric treadmill employs an electric motor that drives

the treadmill belt to move by a transmission device. When the
user runs on the treadmill belt, the user regulates the running
speed to get consistent With the moving speed of the treadmill

belt. If the user Wants to change the running speed, the user is
required to press the corresponding button on the control
panel in the front of the treadmill to change the motor veloc
ity, so as to change the moving speed of the treadmill belt, and
then passively changes the running speed, Which disobeys the

living habits of changing the running speed at Will in the
nature. MeanWhile, the human body is unsteady in the run
ning state. When searching for the corresponding button on
the control panel of the treadmill With eyes and pressing the
corresponding button With ?ngers, it is quite inconvenient and

may distract the attention of the user, Which may affect the
exercise effect. For the group of young or senior users or the
users With poor physical conditions, they may be exposed to
normal running On the other hand, the detecting system of the

treadmill takes a long time for detecting the running and
regulating the motor speed to a designated speed, so the time
for accelerating or reducing the running speed of the human is

shorter than the time for the treadmill belt to regulate the
speed, and the acceleration of the treadmill cannot catch up
the acceleration of the human, Which may cause the user hit
the dashboard When accelerating or moving or even falling
backWards When reducing the running speed.

[0007] PRC Utility Model No. 2007200326270 provides
an adaptive speed regulation control device of running
devices. The input end of the running machine adaptive tim
ing control module is connected to an electrocardiograph
monitoring module, a speed closed-loop module and a key

board/ display module. The input end of the speed closed-loop
module is connected to the running machine. The adaptive
timing control system in the running machine can adjust the
speed of the running machine according to the heart rate
situation of the exerciser, can reach the expected ?tness pur
pose, can avoid the problems that the ?tness effect is not met
due to insuf?cient exercise or the body health is harmed by
over exercise. HoWever, the heart rate situation is one of the
factors for regulating the running speed of the user. Different

users have different body conditions. Therefore, this speed
control method for the treadmill has limited applications and
the practicability is not satisfactory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To solve the de?ciencies in the speed regulation

mode of the treadmill in the prior art, the present invention is
directed to an electric treadmill capable of dynamically regu
certain risks.
lating a transmission speed of a treadmill belt based on moni
[0005] To solve the problem that the speed regulation of the

electric treadmill is inconvenient, several corresponding tech
nical solutions have been proposed. For instance, Patent No.
ZL 021481962 entitled Optical Induction Virtual Reality
tored indices including arm sWinging information (frequency
Running Machine discloses a running machine Whose front

end, rear end and side ends are equipped With optical induc
tors, so that When the sportsman is running on it, his running
[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present inven

tion adopts the folloWing technical scheme.
[0010] A treadmill With man-machine interaction speed
and amplitude), heart rate and blood pressure of a user, and a
control method for accomplishing speed control and virtual

scene direction control.
form can be detected by optical inductors, thereby regulating
regulation is provided, Which includes a base, a runner frame
the speed of the treadmill. In the Patent No. ZL 02112184.2

entitled Process for Controlling Electric Treadmills, in tWo
and a motor mounted on the base, a running deck mounted on

the runner frame, a treadmill belt tensioned on front and rear
proper positions of the electric tread mill, emitting sensing
rollers and Wound around the running deck, a standing frame
assembly is set so as to form one spatial sensing area. The user
mounted on the base, a control panel and a control circuit

mounted on the standing frame. The motor and the control
panel are respectively connected to the control circuit.
[0011] The treadmill further includes an arm sWinging
detection unit.
may control the treadmill speed by sWinging arts in the cor

responding spatial sensing area. In addition, in the PRC
Patent No. ZL 2004101042027, a system for regulating run
ning machine running belt velocity according to the current
Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
[0012]
The control circuit may also be connected to a com
putation unit by an interface circuit.

[0013] The treadmill further includes a heart rate detecting
unit and a blood pressure detecting unit, and the heart rate
detecting unit and the blood pressure detecting unit are con
nected to the control circuit.
[0014] The treadmill may further include an arm sWinging
and running speed function parameter analyZing unit. The

analyZing unit may be connected to the control circuit and
may also be connected to the computation unit.
[0015] The arm sWinging detection unit is a physical quan
tity sensor such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor or a
gyroscope hand-held by a user or Worn on Wrist of a user.
[0016]
Alternatively, the arm sWinging detection unit is a
video capture system, and the video capture system directly

captures an arm sWinging video image and Works out an arm
sWinging amplitude or frequency according to the video
image.
[0017]
A control method for a treadmill With man-machine
interaction speed regulation is provided, Which is accom

plished based on the above treadmill. The treadmill control
method includes:
unit and the blood pressure detecting unit dynamically detect

the heart rate and the blood pressure parameters of the user
When running If the heart rate and the blood pressure param
eters are Within a normal range, the transmission speed of the
treadmill belt is increased or reduced according to the arm
sWinging amplitude or frequency of the user. If the heart rate
and the blood pressure parameters exceed the normal range,
the transmission speed of the treadmill belt is only reduced

according to the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency.
[0026] In the situation that a display of the control panel
displays a virtual scene, the arm sWinging detection unit
detects the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency of tWo arms
respectively. If a difference betWeen the arm sWinging fre
quencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is smaller than a
preset threshold value, the virtual scene displays a straight

running status. If the difference betWeen the arm sWinging
frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is greater than the
preset threshold value, a turning direction and a turning radius
in the virtual scene are changed according to the difference
betWeen the arm sWinging frequencies or amplitudes of the
tWo arms.
sWinging detection unit detecting the arm sWinging ampli
[0027] Compared With the prior arts, the treadmill With

man-machine interaction speed regulation and the control
method thereof of the present invention automatically regu
tude or frequency of the user;
late the treadmill speed based on dynamically monitored arm
[0018]
[0019]
(1) When the user runs on the treadmill, the arm
(2) determining Whether the arm sWinging ampli
tude or frequency changes;

[0020]
(3) in the situation that a variation of the arm sWing
ing amplitude or frequency is greater than a preset threshold

value, Working out a neW transmission speed of the treadmill
belt according to a neW arm sWinging amplitude or frequency;
otherWise, the treadmill belt keeping the former transmission
speed;
[0021] (4) according to the neW transmission speed of the
treadmill belt, changing a velocity of the motor by the control
circuit to make the treadmill belt perform transmission at the
neW transmission speed.
[0022] In step (1), the arm sWinging detection unit is a
physical quantity sensor, such as a speed sensor, an accelera
tion sensor or a gyroscope. The physical quantity sensor
sWinging information (including the sWinging amplitude and

the sWinging frequency), Which effectively overcomes the
defects in the prior art and alloWs the user to change the
transmission speed of the treadmill belt in a natural Way and
gain a perfect use experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The present invention Will become more fully

understood from the detailed description given herein beloW
for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present
invention, and Wherein:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block vieW of a system structure of an
electric treadmill according to a ?rst embodiment of the
present invention;
electric treadmill according to a second embodiment of the
detects arm sWinging speed, acceleration and direction

parameters, Works out the arm sWinging amplitude or fre
present invention;
quency based on the parameters and transfers data to the

control circuit.

electric treadmill according to a third embodiment of the
[0023] Alternatively, in step (1), the arm sWinging detec
present invention, in Which an arm sWinging and running

speed function parameter analyZing unit is added based on the
tion unit is a video capture system, and the video capture

system directly captures an arm sWinging video image, Works
out the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency according to the
video image and transfers data to the control circuit.
[0024] The arm sWinging and running speed function

parameter analyZing unit automatically records the arm
sWinging frequency and amplitude of the user and the corre
sponding treadmill speed. By recording and analyZing mul

tiple arm sWinging frequencies and amplitudes of the user at
different treadmill speeds, the arm sWinging and running
speed function parameter analyZing unit may acquire param
?rst embodiment, and the unit is connected to a control circuit
in the third embodiment;

electric treadmill according to a fourth embodiment of the

?rst embodiment, and the unit is connected to a computation
unit in the fourth embodiment;
electric treadmill according to a ?fth embodiment of the
ing frequency, amplitude and running speed of the user, so

that the treadmill can Work out the treadmill speed quickly
and accurately according to the arm sWinging frequency or
circuit in the ?fth embodiment;
eters of the calculation formula or function of the arm sWing
amplitude.
[0025] The user may use the arm sWinging detection unit
separately, or Wear the heart rate detecting unit and the blood
pressure detecting unit optionally. The heart rate detecting
second embodiment, and the unit is connected to a control

electric treadmill according to a sixth embodiment of the

Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
second embodiment, and the unit is connected to a computa

tion unit in the sixth embodiment;
mill belt according to a neW arm sWinging amplitude or
[0035]
parameter analyZing unit automatically records the user arm
FIG. 7 is a schematic vieW of processes for accom
frequency. The arm sWinging and running speed function
plishing man-machine interaction speed regulation of an

electric treadmill of the present invention; and
sWinging frequency, amplitude and the corresponding tread

mill speed. By recording and analyZing the multiple arm
[0036] FIG. 8 is a How chart of a method of dynamically

regulating a transmission speed of a treadmill belt and a
virtual scene direction by detecting an arm sWinging fre
sWinging frequencies and amplitudes of the user at different

treadmill speeds, the arm sWinging and running speed func
tion parameter analyZing unit may acquire parameters of the
quency in man-machine interaction speed regulation.
calculation formula or function of the arm sWinging fre
quency, amplitude and running speed of the user, so that the

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Similar to the electric treadmill in the prior arts, the

electric treadmill With man-machine interaction speed regu
lation of the present invention has a base, a runner frame, a
motor mounted on the base, front and rear rollers mounted on
the runner frame and driven by the motor, a running deck

mounted on the runner frame, a treadmill belt tensioned on
the front and rear rollers and Wound around the running deck,
a standing frame mounted on the base, and a control panel
mounted on the standing frame. Furthermore, the electric
treadmill may additionally have left and right handle bars
?xed on the standing frame, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

mounted on the control panel and control buttons thereof. The
design and mounting of the functional elements are common
technology knoWn to persons of ordinary skills in the art, and
Will not be illustrated in details herein.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a block vieW of a structure of the ?rst
treadmill can Work out the treadmill speed quickly and accu
rately according to the arm sWinging frequency or amplitude.

In the third to sixth embodiment of FIG. 3-FIG. 6, the arm
sWinging and running speed function parameter analyZing

unit may be connected to the control circuit and may also be
connected to the computation unit.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, for realiZing the man-machine

interaction speed regulation, the electric treadmill of the
present invention creatively combines the indices including
the heart rate and the blood pressure and the arm sWinging
information (frequency and amplitude) of the user, and is

tailored to regulate the transmission speed of the treadmill
belt mainly based on the arm sWinging information according
to the body reaction of the user, thereby bringing about the
perfect use experience.
[0042]
In the use of the electric treadmill, the heart rate
detecting unit and the blood pressure detecting unit are ?rstly
Worn on the Wrist of the user. The heart rate detecting unit and
embodiment. The motor and the control panel of the electric
the blood pressure detecting unit dynamically detect the heart
treadmill are respectively connected to the control circuit.

The control circuit may further be connected to a computation
running. The heart rate and the blood pressure parameters
unit by an interface circuit. In addition, instruments including
may be displayed on the LCD screen of the control panel, so
an external arm sWinging detection unit, a heart rate detecting

unit and a blood pressure detecting unit may also be con
nected to the control circuit. The connection may be realiZed
by a cable circuit or may be realiZed by Wireless connection
such as bluetooth or infrared radiation. In this embodiment,
the arm sWinging detection unit is a physical quantity sensor
such as a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor or a gyroscope
hand-held by a user or Worn on Wrist of a user. The heart rate
rate and the blood pressure parameters of the user When
as to present the exercise effect to the user. When the user is
running, if the heart rate and the blood pressure parameters

are Within a normal range, they may be presented to the user
in a soft and moderate manner (for example, in inconspicuous

colors or small-siZed fonts). If the heart rate or the blood
pressure parameters exceed the normal range, the user is
prompted by glare letters or by making a sound.

[0043] HoWever, every user has different body conditions.
In actual, people have different body feelings to the abnormal
detecting unit and the blood pressure detecting unit may be

realiZed by a high-end Wrist electronic blood pressure meter
such as EW3003, HEM-6021. It should be explained that the
electric treadmill is not limited to adopting the arm sWinging
detection unit, the heart rate detecting unit and the blood
pressure detecting unit mentioned above. All the biomedical
tolerance of the heart-hurry but some users are hard to tolerate
instruments capable of monitoring the body indices of the
ing to the heart rate and the blood pressure parameters is hard
to take the individual difference of the users into account, and
user When running may be employed in the electric treadmill

of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an electric treadmill according to
the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the motor and
the control panel are respectively connected to the control
circuit, and the control circuit is connected to a computation
unit by an interface circuit. The computation unit may be a
computer, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or the like. The
arm sWinging detection unit is directly connected to the com
putation unit. This embodiment is adapted for the arm sWing
ing detection unit realiZed by a video capture system that
analyZes the arm sWinging image. Hereinafter, the details Will
range of the heart rate and the blood pressure parameters

speci?ed by the medical rules. Some users have a strong
the short term heart-hurry. Therefore, the method of directly

regulating the transmission speed of the treadmill belt accord
is a routine method.
[0044] The present invention automatically regulates the

treadmill speed by dynamically monitoring the arm sWinging
information (including the sWinging amplitude and the
sWinging frequency), Which effectively overcomes the
defects of the above method and alloWs the user change the
transmission speed of the treadmill belt in a natural Way.
[0045] A physiology and kinesiology research reveals that

for maintain balance, the running amplitude and frequency of
human in running is substantially in a direct proportion to the
arm sWinging amplitude and frequency. The faster the arm
be described.
sWinging frequency is, the quicker the running frequency Will
[0040]
regulation of the electric treadmill, a dedicated arm sWinging
be. The larger the arm sWinging amplitude is, the Wider the
step Will be. In addition, When turning, the turning direction
and running speed function parameter analyZing unit may be
has a relation to the arm sWinging. When turning left, the
added for Working out a neW transmission speed of the tread
sWinging amplitude of the right arm is large and the sWinging
For realiZing the man-machine interaction speed
Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
amplitude of the left arm is small. When turning right, the

swinging amplitude of the left arm is large and the swinging
amplitude of the right arm is small.
[0046] If We directly change the running frequency or
amplitude on the electric treadmill, as the speed changing of
the treadmill cannot catch up the speed changing of us, people
are exposed to the risk of hitting on the dashboard or falling
backwards. If We change the arm sWinging frequency or
amplitude on the treadmill ?rstly, then the detecting unit

detects and gradually changes the treadmill speed after cal
culation, the running frequency and amplitude of the user Will
change With the speed changing of the treadmill in a natural
changes of the speed of the treadmill to cause the falling over

or other discomforts of the user.
[0050] Before the delivery of the treadmill, a set of function

calculation parameter values directed to a majority of people
may be preset in the control circuit of the treadmill, Which can
meet the needs of ordinary users. If the treadmill is expected
to suit one user, the user may set the embodied calculation
parameter values of the function or curve on the control panel

of the treadmill, so as to best suit the running characteristics
of one certain user.
[0051]
To obtain the parameter values of the function
directed to one certain user, the arm sWinging and running
speed function parameter analyZing unit is disposed in the
Way and people Will not dash or falling over. After the tread
mill reaches the neW speed, the arm sWinging frequency or
treadmill. When the treadmill is in use, the user may choose
amplitude gets consistent to the running frequency or ampli

tude once again. Therefore, the treadmill speed regulation
realiZed by capturing and analyZing the arm sWinging infor
mation makes the entire speed regulation process natural and
the regular control mode that uses the control panel to control
the treadmill speed or sWitch to the arm sWinging control
mode by a transfer sWitch. In the regular control mode that
uses the control panel to control the treadmill speed, the arm
safe.
[0047] According to this principle, refer to the How chart of
the method in FIG. 8. When the user is running on the tread
mill, the arm sWinging is consistent With the running To
increase the treadmill speed, the user may increase the arm
unit automatically records the arm sWinging frequency or

amplitude of the user and the corresponding treadmill speed.
In the arm sWinging control mode, When the arm sWinging
sWinging frequency or the arm sWinging amplitude, and the

detecting system detects that the arm sWinging frequency or
amplitude is increased and immediately increases the tread
smooth, the arm sWinging and running speed function param

eter analyZing unit may automatically record the arm sWing
ing frequency or amplitude of the user and the corresponding
mill speed. Then, the running frequency or amplitude is
treadmill speed. By recording and analyZing multiple arm
increased accordingly to get consistent to the arm sWinging

once again. To reduce the treadmill speed, the user may
reduce the arm sWinging frequency or amplitude, and the
detecting system detects that the arm sWinging frequency or
treadmill speeds, the arm sWinging and running speed func

tion parameter analyZing unit may acquire the parameters of
sWinging and running speed function parameter analyZing
frequency and amplitude and the running speed become
sWinging frequencies and amplitudes of the user at different

the calculation formula or function of the arm sWinging fre
amplitude is reduced and immediately reduces the treadmill

speed. Then, the running frequency or amplitude is reduced
quency, amplitude and running speed of the user by a self
accordingly to get consistent to the arm sWinging once again.

[0048] The speed of the treadmill and the arm sWinging
arm sWinging control mode, the parameters may be directly

used, Which is convenient and accurate. The self-learning
amplitude and frequency of the user approximately satisfy a

calculation formula: V:F(r, f). Here, V is the speed of the
treadmill, r is the arm sWinging amplitude of the user, f is the
arm sWinging frequency, F () is a function. The parameters of
the function are related to individual running characteristics,
and are substantially constant for one user, thereby forming a
relatively smooth changing curve. For example, if the arm
sWinging frequency remains unchanged and the arm sWing

ing amplitude is increased by In times, in the outdoor running
situation, the running amplitude is increased by n times (the
ratio of m and n directed to one person substantially satis?es
a relatively smooth changing curve), Which is equivalent to

that the running speed of the user is increased by n times, and
thus the velocity of the treadmill may be increased by n times.
In another example, if the arm sWinging amplitude remains
unchanged and the arm sWinging frequency is increased by In
times, in the outdoor running situation, the running frequency

of the user is increased by n times (in the normal situation, In
and n are substantially equal), Which is equivalent to the
running speed of the user is increased by n times, and thus the

velocity of the treadmill may be increased by n times. If the
arm sWinging amplitude and frequency change at the same
time, the treadmill speed is regulated by taking the tWo factors

into consideration at the same time.
[0049]
To enable the user to get used to the neW running
speed easily, When the treadmill speed changes along With the
arm sWinging frequency or amplitude, the treadmill gradually
changes the former speed to the neW speed, Which alloWs the
user to get used to the neW speed and prevents the sudden
leaming method such as an arti?cial neural netWork. In the
algorithm such as the arti?cial neural netWork is a common
technology to persons of ordinary skills in the softWare area,

and the details Will not be described herein.
[0052] Several methods for detecting the arm sWinging
amplitude and frequency exist. According to the ?rst method,

each hand of the user holds one acceleration sensor or gyro
scope. The acceleration sensor or gyroscope detects param
eters like the arm sWinging speed, acceleration and direction,

Works out the frequency and amplitude, and then transfers to
the control circuit through bluetooth or a Wireless module.
According to the second method, a device With the accelera
tion sensor or gyroscope inside is Worn on each arm or Wrist
of the user, for detecting the parameters like the arm sWinging
speed, acceleration and direction, Works out the frequency

and amplitude, and then transfers to the control circuit
through bluetooth or a Wireless module. The above tWo meth
ods are suitable for the electric treadmill in the ?rst embodi
ment.
[0053] According to the third method, the video capture

system directly captures the arm sWinging video image,
Works out the arm sWinging amplitude and frequency accord
ing to the video image, and transfers the data to the control
circuit. The method is suitable for the electric treadmill in the
second embodiment.
[0054] In the implementation of the third method, to pre
vent the changes of the arm sWinging frequency or amplitude
unWittingly caused by the arm sWinging in running in?uenc
ing the operating of the treadmill, a threshold value may be set
in the control circuit. When the difference betWeen the
Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
changed arm swinging frequency or amplitude and the former

smooth value is greater than the threshold value, the control
circuit sends a command to the treadmill to change the speed.
This method may enable the treadmill run constantly even if
the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency has some changes
When the user is running at a constant speed normally. The
threshold value may be regulated via the dashboard on the
treadmill according to personal situation, so that the treadmill
speed regulation better suits the personal habits.

[0055] To protect the physical and mental health of the user,
in the process of automatically regulating the treadmill speed
based on the dynamically monitored arm sWinging informa
tion, if the heart rate and the blood pressure parameters are
Within a normal range, the transmission speed of the treadmill
belt is increased or reduced according to the arm sWinging
amplitude or frequency of the user. If the heart rate and the
blood pressure parameters exceed the normal range, the trans
mission speed of the treadmill belt is only reduced according

to the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency Without increas
ing the transmission speed.

[0056] The arm sWinging may change the speed and also
may change the direction. To prevent the unsynchroniZed
sWinging of the tWo arms of the user When controls the tum
ing of the people in the virtual scene to cause the changes of
the treadmill speed and reduce the smoothness, the detecting

process may be divided into tWo situations according to the
difference betWeen the arm sWinging frequencies or ampli
tudes of the tWo arms. If the difference betWeen the arm
swinging frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is smaller

than one threshold value, it is the straight running status, and
the system changes the treadmill speed according to the arm
sWinging frequency or amplitude Without changing the run
ning direction. If the difference betWeen the arm sWinging
frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is greater than one
threshold value, it is the turning running status, and a turning

direction and a turning radius of the human in the virtual
scene are changed by the system according to the difference
betWeen the arm sWinging frequencies or amplitudes of the
tWo arms and regardless of the arm sWinging frequency or
amplitude change treadmill speed. De?nitely, if the speed and

the direction of the treadmill need to be controlled directly
regardless of the smoothness, the limitation may be dis
carded.
[0057] In the present invention, the treadmill is connected
to the computation unit by a data interface, so as to transfer the
running speed or direction of the user to the virtual scene
softWare of the computation unit instantly. The virtual scene

softWare may present the virtual scene through the display on
the control panel, and may also achieve the combination of
modi?cations and variations can be made to the structure of
the present invention Without departing from the scope or

spirit of the invention. In vieW of the foregoing, it is intended
that the present invention cover modi?cations and variations
of this invention provided they fall Within the scope of the
folloWing claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
1. A treadmill With man-machine interaction speed regu
lation, comprising a base, a runner frame and a motor
mounted on the base, a running deck mounted on the runner
frame, a treadmill belt tensioned on front and rear rollers and
Wound around the running deck, a standing frame mounted on

the base, a control panel and a control circuit mounted on the
standing frame, Wherein the motor and the control panel are
respectively connected to the control circuit, Wherein:
the treadmill further comprises an arm sWinging detection
unit.
2. The treadmill With man-machine interaction speed regu
lation according to claim 1, Wherein:

the arm sWinging detection unit is a physical quantity sen
sor hand-held by a user or Worn on Wrist of a user.

the arm sWinging detection unit is a video capture system,
and the video capture system directly captures an arm
sWinging video image and Works out an arm sWinging
amplitude or frequency according to the video image.

the arm sWinging detection unit is connected to the control
circuit.
the arm sWinging detection unit is connected to a compu
tation unit, and the computation unit is connected to the

control circuit by an interface circuit.
the treadmill further comprises a heart rate detecting unit
and a blood pressure detecting unit, and the heart rate
detecting unit and the blood pressure detecting unit are
connected to the control circuit.

the treadmill further comprises an arm sWinging and run
ning speed function parameter analyZing unit.

8. A control method for a treadmill With man-machine
sports and entertainment by controlling the running speed and
interaction speed regulation, accomplished based on the

treadmill according to claim 1, the treadmill control method
direction of the ?gure in the virtual scene based on the run
comprising:
ning speed and direction of the user. In this situation, to make

the ?gure in the virtual scene turning, the user makes the
sWinging frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms being
inconsistent. When turning left, the sWinging amplitude or

frequency of the right arm is increased and the sWinging
amplitude or frequency of the left arm is reduced. When
turning right, the sWinging amplitude or frequency of the left

arm is increased and the sWinging amplitude or frequency of
the right arm is reduced.
[0058] The treadmill With man-machine interaction speed

regulation and the control method thereof of the present
invention are illustrated in details in the above paragraphs. It
Will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that various
(1) When the user runs on the treadmill, the arm sWinging
detection unit detecting the arm sWinging amplitude or

frequency of the user;
(2) determining Whether the arm sWinging amplitude or
frequency changes or not;
(3) in the situation that a variation of the arm sWinging
amplitude or frequency is greater than a preset threshold
value, Working out a neW transmission speed of the
treadmill belt according to a neW arm sWinging ampli
tude or frequency; otherWise, the treadmill belt keeping

the former transmission speed;
(4) according to the neW transmission speed of the tread
mill belt, changing a velocity of the motor by the control
Feb. 16, 2012
US 2012/0040798 A1
circuit to make the treadmill belt perform transmission
the blood pres sure parameters are Within a normal range,
at the neW transmission speed.

9. The control method for a treadmill With man-machine
the transmission speed of the treadmill belt is increased
interaction speed regulation according to claim 8, Wherein:

in step (1), the arm swinging detection unit is a physical
quantity sensor; the physical quantity sensor detects arm
sWinging speed, acceleration and direction parameters,

Works out the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency
based on the parameters and transfers data to the control
circuit.

in step (1), the arm sWinging detection unit is a Video
capture system, and the Video capture system directly

captures an arm sWinging Video image, Works out the
arm sWinging amplitude or frequency according to the

Video image and transfers data to the control circuit.

the heart rate detecting unit and the blood pressure detect
ing unit dynamically detect heart rate and blood pres sure
parameters of the user When running; if the heart rate and
or reduced according to the arm sWinging amplitude or

frequency of the user, if the heart rate and the blood
pressure parameters exceed the normal range, the trans
mission speed of the treadmill belt is only reduced

according to the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency.

in the situation that a display of the control panel displays
a Virtual scene, the arm sWinging detection unit detects
the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency of tWo arms
respectively; if a difference betWeen the arm sWinging
frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is smaller than
a preset threshold Value, the Virtual scene displays a
straight running status; if the difference betWeen the arm

sWinging frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms is
greater than the preset threshold Value, a turning direc
tion and a turning radius in the Virtual scene are changed
according to the difference betWeen the arm sWinging
frequencies or amplitudes of the tWo arms.
*

Us 20120040798

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Us 20120040798

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

US 20120040798A1

(19) United States

TREADMILL WITH MAN-MACHINE

Jun-Tao Yu, Beijing City (CN)

BEIJING MEYA VIRTUAL

Us. or. .......................................................... .. 482/4

A treadmill With man-machine interaction speed regulation

LTD., Beijing City (CN); ILODO

treadmill, the arm sWinging amplitude or frequency of the

Beijing City (CN)

(22) PCT Filed:

Apr. 15, 2009

Feb. 16, 2012

transmission speed of a treadmill belt is Worked out according

of the treadmill is regulated to the neW speed automatically.

speed. The treadmill speed is automatically regulated accord

Which alloWs the user to change the transmission speed of the

Oct. 15, 2011

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 1 0f 5

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 2 0f 5

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 3 0f 5

Ami SW11, 21g and "

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 4 0f 5

The usrsr wears this imairi' rah:

laws-sure dam-ting; unit, nptimmlly

The hw? r312: d?iecting unit

tieicctring unii dctcci [hi2 imam

the usar when. running

Tim trammissimi gipesii uftliu:

The wansl'nissimi 33112126

1 trea?mili. hrrit is increas?d m

ofti'm imam-xiii} be]: is

mad-{mad awarding tn the: arm

reduced awarding t0 the

swinging amplii'ude 01'

QT ??que'ncy n? 1hr: uss'er

Patent Application Publication

Feb. 16, 2012 Sheet 5 0f 5

The use? and the

trsadmiii muw at {has ;

Dctecz time arm ss-vinging

ie'ihssr the: arm swinging

m, the arm swmgmg ire-gummy

rmmmsr, m'nphtude Inger

msad m a new vciochy Bf

(hangs: the treadmiil

speed. by a 60mm] circuit

swinging iicqucncy m" amplitude 3

(Ialcuiale desirscl turning

Feb. 16, 2012

TREADMILL WITH MAN-MACHINE

loading differences is disclosed. The load inducing detection

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a treadmill and a

particularly to an electric treadmill capable of dynamically

optimal body building effect and avoid tumble.

monitored indices including arm sWinging information (fre

method has a certain progress as compared With the treadmill

quency and amplitude), heart rate and blood pressure of a

that realiZes the speed regulation by pressing the button on the